American Muscle Cars, Classic Chevrolet El Camino (First Generation)

The first Chevrolet El Camino (“the road” translated in Spanish) was introduced to the car market in 1959 (two years after the Ford Ranchero). The El Camino was produced from 1959-1960 as a coupe utility, (similar to the Ford Ranchero). The El Camino was based on an easily modified platform from the 1959 Brookwood two-door station wagon design. The same trim level and drivetrain options were available for the El Camino as the Chevrolet Impala. This was the first year for the “batwing” full sized Chevrolets.

Unfortunately El Camino sold fewer numbers than the conservative style of Ford Ranchero. The El Camino suffered sales of only 22,246 for the first year. The less flamboyant models for 1960 sold only 14,162 models of El Camino, at this point General Motors discontinued the El Camino. In total, 36,409 first generation models were produced. Production resumed for the El Camino from 1964 through 1987. The El Camino was sold in 1978 through 1987 with four different models” the Super Sport, the Black Knight, the Conquista and El Camino. There was also a twin to the El Camino, the GMC Sprint, and the GMC Caballero from 1974 on.


The El Camino’s are incorrectly referred to as cars because of their car heritage (this is a common mistake with vehicles of this type), the vehicle is titled and classified as a truck.
The El Camino’s were also sold in Mexico and labeled as Chevrolet Conquistador.

Production 1959-1960

Engine(s):
• 235cid in-line six
• 283cid small-block V8
• 348cid big-block V8

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American Muscle cars